Protein Aggregation Kinetics and Drug Discovery

This lecture by Michele Vendruscolo explores the kinetics of protein aggregation and its implications for drug discovery in protein misfolding diseases. Vendruscolo discusses the establishment of the Centre for Misfolding Diseases, the Chemistry of Health Laboratory, and the Chemistry of Health Incubator at the University of Cambridge. The lecture delves into the molecular origins of misfolding diseases, the role of physical principles in drug discovery, and the development of novel approaches to combat protein misfolding diseases. Vendruscolo emphasizes the importance of targeting oligomers in the aggregation process and presents a kinetic theory of protein aggregation. The lecture also covers strategies for drug discovery based on oligomer populations and the use of antibodies to quantify and inhibit oligomers.